What is a lactation consultant, and how important is it to have one? Do you wait until you have a reason to go? Is it only for nursing at the breast? Can’t your OB or pediatrician help you? Breastfeeding is natural, right–shouldn’t you be able to figure it out?

The answer to most of those questions is “no”. But let’s start with the basics.

What is a lactation consultant?

The title “lactation consultant” is commonly bandied about to refer to breastfeeding helpers carrying any number of certifications, but it is not a catchall term. Officially, there is only one credential that makes a lactation consultant, and that is the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC. We have a governing body that sets our standards, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, and oversees the certification program for 38,000 IBCLCs in 136 countries across the world. 

Wow! That’s pretty dope. Glad I looked it up. 

Lactation or breastfeeding counselors or educators (there are multiple combinations of these terms) are different, and none requires the same degree of education and clinical experience as an IBCLC. When it comes to a breastfeeding specialist, a lactation consultant is the cream of the crop. In fact, most insurers require this credential to pay for lactation care. 

What care do lactation consultants provide?

You might be surprised at how many issues fall under the scope of the IBCLC. First of all, we’re caring for the dyad, not just Mom, and not just Baby. This already makes us unique from most other providers you will see during your pregnancy and postpartum. 

Starting with the parent, we’re looking at everything from milk supply to breast and nipple health to the mother’s mental health, and even her family relationships that may be affecting her breastfeeding. We assess infants independently,  for their ability to move milk, their body mechanics that may be affecting their suck, and anatomical anomalies that could also be at play, such as oral restrictions, side preferences, and other imbalances. THEN we’re assessing the two together, how they respond to one another, and making adjustments on either end to bring them into alignment. 

So, no, that’s not within the scope of your OB or pediatrician. They each have an incredibly valuable role to play in this stage, and some have pursued greater training in lactation or bring their own personal experience to their care. Generally speaking, however, their focus is on the whole-body health of you or your baby, identifying and treating illness and abnormalities.  Moreover, IBCLCs typically spend an hour or more at each visit, often with regular follow up. Physician’s practices aren’t designed to accommodate this–they have many more patients to see than we do, and a much broader range of issues to address. 

Lactation consultants have the time and expertise to drill down into infant feeding. Here’s a short list of areas we cover: prenatal education and screening for risk factors, latching and positioning for nursing, infant growth and development, milk supply issues (too much or too little, or even what is too much or too little), pumps and pumping, breast complications like plugs, mastitis, and thrush, nipple damage, proper use of breastfeeding equipment like nipple shields and flanges, bottle systems, tongue and lip tie assessment, guidance through tongue and lip tie releases including post-frenectomy wound care and oral rehabilitation, weight checks, the emotional and practical concerns around returning to work and rights in the workplace, partner dynamics, maternal mental health and screening for mood disorders, referrals to specialists, bonding and balance within the family. 

Dang. We do a lot. 

When should you see a lactation consultant?

For many years, the norm was to seek breastfeeding support when something went wrong. That paradigm is changing—see this article I wrote on how and why, published by the United States Lactation Consultants Association. Essentially, we’re realizing that we can prevent worst-case scenarios by seeing couplets either very soon after birth, or even better–BEFORE the baby arrives. 

If you know you want to participate in this process in any way, even if it’s to exclusively pump, or perhaps only breastfeed until you go back to work, then the best time to meet your lactation consultant is while you are pregnant. I know there are a lot of appointments. But you will be even more overwhelmed when the baby is here, and less likely to take the steps to get into care when you need it. By starting prenatally, all you have to do is give us a call when you are ready. You’ll be familiar with me, where to go, even where to park. You just walk in, and we pick up wherever you are with whatever you need. 

The next best time to start care is within the first week of your baby’s birth. Even if everything is going exceedingly well, you will have a million questions and you will take a great deal from having a professional confirm for you that everything is on track. You come back if and when you have more questions. 

The next best time is as soon as you think something may be off. Problems can compound very quickly in this realm, and some parts may become impossible to undo. The sooner we can see you and put together a plan, the better your chances are of staying in the game. 

That was a lot more than 20 reasons.

Your lactation consultant in north Wilmington

The Golden Hour is easily located off of I-495, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere that is well-equipped with various supplies we may need during our visit. Moreover, many of you will find that your insurance will cover your care with us. Check yours here, and clients with Cigna can verify here. 

We can’t wait to hear from you!